Chinese word

有毒

Pronunciation

Pinyinyǒu dú

Meaning

  • adjectivepoisonous

Example

这碗汤有毒，不要喝。zhè wǎn tāng yǒu dú bú yào hē

This bowl of soup is poisonous, so don't drink it.

Illustration for 有毒 (poisonous)

More examples

这种化学品如果接触皮肤可能对人有毒，要戴手套。zhè zhǒng huà xué pǐn rú guǒ jiē chù pí fū kě néng duì rén yǒu dú yào dài shǒu tào

This chemical may be poisonous to people if it comes into contact with the skin, so wear gloves.

Core concept

A harmful property of a thing or situation that can damage bodies, minds, or relationships.

Common phrases

  • 对人有毒duì rén yǒu dú

    poisonous to people

  • 对动物有毒duì dòng wù yǒu dú

    poisonous to animals

  • 散发有毒气体sàn fā yǒu dú qì tǐ

    emit poisonous gas

Similar words

有害yǒu hài: Causing damage to people's health or to the natural environment.
危险wēi xiǎn: Creating a risk of injury, damage, or an accident.

Definition in Chinese

含有可能使生物中毒或致死的物质或成分，也用于形容言语、关系等对他人造成心理或社交伤害的性质。hán yǒu kě néng shǐ shēng wù zhòng dú huò zhì sǐ de wù zhì huò chéng fèn yě yòng yú xíng róng yán yǔ guān xì děng duì tā rén zào chéng xīn lǐ huò shè jiāo shāng hài de xìng zhì

Word origin

有毒 (yǒudú, "to have poison") combines 有 (yǒu, "to have") with 毒 (dú, "poison"), presenting harmfulness as something possessed by the subject.

Usage tips

  • Chinese can use this adjective for speech, online behavior, or relationships as well as substances, so context shows whether the harm is physical or social.

Other meanings

  • toxicadjective

Opposites

  • 无害wú hàiharmlessadjective

Word lists with this word